ST. PAUL, Minn., Aug. 31, 2016 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Hunger Action Month, a nationwide campaign during September, brings with it numerous opportunities for people in Minnesota and western Wisconsin to raise awareness of and take action against hunger right here in our own backyards. St. Paul-based Second Harvest Heartland, one of the nation's largest, most efficient and innovative hunger relief organizations, is bringing together local corporations to extend donations of time and money to those in need within our communities.

From volunteering to donating to "going orange," community members can make an even bigger impact during Hunger Action Month thanks to matches by UnitedHealthcare and Bremer Bank.

"The generosity of our partners allows individual donor contributions to go further and serve more people in our communities," says Second Harvest Heartland Chief Executive Officer Rob Zeaske. "By maximizing their contributions, community members can help Second Harvest Heartland provide additional support and increased access to food for the people we're serving."

There are three main ways to get involved during Hunger Action Month:

Volunteer: Throughout September, as part of the Double Down Challenge, Bremer Bank will match every volunteer hour with a $5 donation, up to $50,000. Individuals and groups can sign up for a volunteer shift at 2harvest.org/ham.

Donate: Donations to Second Harvest Heartland made in September will be matched by UnitedHealthcare, up to $50,000. To donate, visit 2harvest.org/ham.

Create Awareness: Second Harvest Heartland is asking Minnesotan and Wisconsin residents to "go orange" and join people all over the country in September – and particularly on Sept. 8, Hunger Action Day – to show their support of hunger relief and raise awareness of hunger and the rising need in our communities. Everyone is encouraged to:

• Wear the color orange on Hunger Action Day, and all month long. Share a picture on social media of you in your orange garb – tag @2harvest on Twitter and Facebook, and @secondharvestheartland on Instagram – use the hashtag #HungerActionMonth.
• Make your Facebook and Twitter profile pictures orange this September.
• Adorn your building, office, cubicle or home in orange to raise awareness.

Hunger continues to be a prevalent and pervasive issue in the area: One in 10 of our neighbors in the region are at risk of being hungry every day, but there is more than enough food in the heartland to feed everyone. By constantly looking for new ways to work with each other and with its partners, Second Harvest Heartland can help put that food on the table for hundreds of thousands of hungry families.

"Hunger is here," Zeaske says. "But so are we. Last year Second Harvest Heartland provided more than 77 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin."

Second Harvest Heartland plays a major role in hunger relief in Minnesota and western Wisconsin, providing an average of 75 percent of all food distributed by its local food shelf partners. The organization, a member of Feeding America's nationwide network of food banks, has created a sustainable support system that provides access to food. Helping hungry neighbors find their next meal so they can thrive at work, in the classroom and in their communities is what drives Second Harvest Heartland, its partners and supporters.

About Second Harvest Heartland
Second Harvest Heartland is one of the nation's largest, most efficient and most innovative hunger relief organizations. Second Harvest Heartland provides an average of 75 percent of all food distributed by its food shelf partners, and in 2015, provided more than 77 million meals to nearly 1,000 food shelves, pantries and other partner programs serving 59 counties in Minnesota and western Wisconsin. Second Harvest Heartland leads through innovation, finding efficient, effective solutions to connect the full resources of our community with our hungry neighbors. For more information, visit 2harvest.org or call 651-484-5117.

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SOURCE Second Harvest Heartland